Sunday, 18 January 2015

Steep Hills and Big Views

I grew up in a walking family. As a child, Sunday afternoons in autumn and winter were spent in woods, up hills, on the downs, on beaches or marshes...we walked, and in most weathers. (Summer weekends were dictated by high tide and often spent sailing.) My parents still love to "get out" at the weekend and for them, a sunny day without a walk would be unbearable. I enjoyed these walks as a child, and resented them as a teenager. How I hated to be told that fresh air was good for me! In my twenties, I spent my weekends working, sleeping, shopping, going to the cinema, going out, seeing friends. Normal things that you do when you don't have children. My early thirties involved babies, toddlers, slings and buggies, a husband who worked most weekends, and no energy for any big walks. A trip to the park was about the furthest we'd go.

But now, I find that I not only like, but I need a good walk at the weekend. Saturday or Sunday, I don't mind, but I feel that same need to "get out", to breathe fresh air, to make my leg muscles and heart work harder, to see some surroundings other than my house. In fact, if I don't get out, I feel quite fed up. Fresh air and exercise - excellent things for combating the winter blues. John is game, and a good walker. The kids are tricky. Bella never wants to go, but then once she's out she can walk for miles. Angus always wants to go and runs back and forth like a puppy for the first mile, then flags and whines all the way back to the car at the end. I insist they go because, since we now have to drive to school every day, I think the exercise is good for them, for all of us. We went for a big walk with my sister and her family today. Her girls (four and six) can walk! My sister said "That's because we've dragged them out every weekend since they were tiny." She carried a bag of bananas and nuts for energy. My pockets were full of biscuits, mini cream eggs and half a bar of fruit and nut. The kids wanted my snacks. A small victory, but one I'll take.

We are walking much more since moving back down south for two reasons. One, everything is fresh and exciting; we are discovering new scenery, new places, walks that will become favourites. Two, my family know where to go. They know which walk is good for a short stroll or a long hike, how to get there, the best route, where to park, if there's a cafe. Now I know I can go to the beach whenever I want I am falling back in love with the beautiful South Downs. The terrain here is softer, more rolling, than the rugged, rock-scattered Yorkshire Dales.

Today we visited Harting Down, a walk I remember from my childhood, with amazing views over the picture-postcard village of South Harting. We walked up to the top of Beacon Hill, an incline so steep it has steps cut into it. My thighs were burning and I was completely, embarrassingly, out of breath at the top. I had to stop and have a moment. The kids were hardly even panting. But it was so worth it for the view.

That's the sea you can just about see glimmering in the distance.

Are you a walker? Do you feel the need to get out in the fresh air at the weekend and march around the nearest hill or beach, swinging your arms, taking deep breaths? Or does a gentler stroll give you the same benefits and energy boost? And, more importantly, do you think it makes you feel better?

59 comments:

We went for a walk - not a wonderful one like this though! - yesterday. It is good to get out isn't it! Glad you had so much fun. Perhaps your children will be keener to get out with their cousins on hand to keep them company! xx

Hi Gillian,I love to walk, and it's got to be brisk...with some hills preferably. There's something so satisfying about getting to the top and it is so good for your mind and body.I'm glad you are discovering new and rediscovering old places with your family. My teens are very reluctant, but at least the oldest two are doing their D of E this year....so some walking practice is essential :0)Jacquie x

I like both kinds of walks. I missed out on a good hike yesterday because my back was hurting and I'm hoping I'll be able to go soon. My kids can walk and walk, though. They're really tough. I'm glad you're enjoying your new surroundings so much.

Wow! If I had a beautiful area to walk in like you do, I would definitely walk. I live somewhat in the country but don't want to trespass on someone's property and there is no where else to walk unless I just walk down the road, which gets kind of boring.

Isn't it funny how things come full circle! I definitely need outings with excercise these days...need a bit of a nature fix, and fresh air in my lungs. I need to work out which paddocks on the island are open to the public....

I absolutley NEED to walk in order to feel good! Rain isn't my favourite weather to walk in, but I've done even that when the itch to be out there was getting too strong. If you type in "walk" in the search box of my blog (top left corner), you'll find many, many posts of long, long-ish and shorter walks. And I've once written a post titled "Why I Do Not Drive".As in your case, our parents made sure from Day One that my sister and I were out walking with them every occasion. And I know it did do us good!

I think a walk is great for all the family. I always find that if you bring extra children, your children walk further and have a better time. It must be great being back near family!! Your photos are lovely, the view goes on for miles. Sarah

We used to go on regular walks, because we had a dog, but I noticed over Christmas that I didn't leave the house for up to 2 days at a time and I realised it was because our beloved dog had gone and we had no reason to go out. I am now working on getting out for us and our needs, but I find walking without my dog a bit upsetting still. It's difficult, when every walk you have taken for 12 years was with your 4 legged friend. Yesterday, my husband and I ran instead and it was glorious.

I am in total agreement. If I spend both days indoors at the weekend I get grumpy. T is 14, nearly 15, and so rarely joins us these days. S is 9, nearly 10, and has to come with us although she isn't as keen as she once was. Before T stopped coming with us we had the moaning, but more often than not he would enjoy it once we got going. That's the good thing about blogging. It's all been recorded. Snacks are an essential part though. A packet of biscuits or a cereal bar produced at just the right time can work wonders!Lisa x

My Hubby now has to use a wheelchair and I would love to know about a series of walks which are wheelchair friendly so I can get out and about more. I do miss getting out and about - the extent of my walks these days is taking the dog out.

Hi Sally. I've been thinking about wheel chair friendly walks. I'm wondering if cycle paths might be an option, especially any tarmaced ones which will be less bumpy. Also, I don't know where you live, but many coastal towns have lovely promenades that would be ideal for wheelchair use and also have lovely views. Gillian x

We live nr Leeds! We hope to move to the coast when he is no longer working as the thought of walking/wheeling along the prom with the dog would be my idea of bliss. Tarmaced paths would be fab - we went to a forest retreat and the wheelchair friendly route was anything but. I do think that people who are responsible for planning such routes should try and push someone along one :-)

I don't take regular walks but I love to take a walk when I had a fight with my man or when I have to think about something. We always take a walk together and talk about things when we have to decide on something. Walking always clears my head and lets me think and decide better.

My step-dad was a volunteer warden with the national park in the Yorkshire Dales and so from about age 11 we walked most weekends, whatever the weather. I was always at the back and the thinking time that it gave me was invaluable now I look back on it, although at the time I grumbled like hell.Like you I stopped all that once my daughter came along. We do some walking and where ever we go on holiday we incorporate at least one walk, this is despite my husband's knees being completely shot and painful for days afterwards. If you can manage it I would definitely walk one day at the weekend, I think it's really good for you on so many levels. I have started walking 30 minutes a day, not anywhere scenic, just getting out of the house/office and it just feels good.Lovely photos by the way!

Such lovely views. I like to go walking at the weekends, but I have found that as the children get older it is more difficult. Not for a lack of enthusiasm but, sadly, because the amount of homework they get becomes ridiculous and occupies a large part of the weekend. It always makes me feel much better though to get out and about if possible. Wishing you many more beautiful walks this year. x

Hi GillianIt all sounds so familiar, and the way you described how the walks were 'appreciated' at different ages really made me chuckle. Your photos are so beautiful, and your two will most certainly have happy memories of these times as they grow up.Have a lovely week,Kate xx

Yes, we walk. The children (6&4) love to be outside. When asked what they want to do, their idea of a great day out is a walk on a muddy path wearing their wellingtons, then hot chocolate with marshmallows when we get home. Lovely photos x

I love walks, so does my hubby, but my kids aren't so keen. But a friend of mine and I walk at least once a week while the kids are in school. In fact, I have just come back from 4.5 mile walk around a local National Trust property. Can't beat a good walk!

I'm like you, I love a really good walk at the weekends. My youngest can walk a surprisingly long way, and once they're out they all love it. I think boys are like big dogs, they need a really good run at least once a day! You're in a beautiful spot now, and how lovely to have new places to explore. Excellent snacks by the way. CJ xx

Gorgeous photos - you have really captured the moody skies well. My parents are walkers and I was brought up walking every weekend. I was in the rambling club at 8 years old doing 14 miles a day. Subsequently, I love hiking. My boyfriends jokes that he has to 'take me for my walk' on a weekend. Like you, I love the feeling in my legs and my lungs and I get an overwhelming feeling of relaxation and pleasure from looking at scenery and experiencing new places. If I have children I will bring them up the same way. I really appreciated that part of my upbringing. Miss Tulip xThe Thrifty Magpies Nest

Andy and I walked a lot when we were without children, miles and miles to pubs in rural Shropshire. Now, we still love walking and our girls love it too because we make it fun and rewarding. Here's to walking. Great photos. Thanks for your marathon commentathon - you didn't have to really but I was very touched. Thanks Jo x

Hey Gillian,Walkers here. My boys have been dragged out since they were little. As CJ said, they are like dogs and need fresh air and exercise. I feel rotten if I don't get out. Tetchy and keyed up. I get a lot of headaches, and a walk helps them to ease. I always have treats in my pocket, and they are usually unhealthy. Why not?!Leanne xx

Oh, I'm so envious of your beautiful rolling hills by the sea!!! I would walk in any condition if I lived there. I love getting out into the fresh air, but we are surrounded by woods and with all the snow and ice we have, walking is a bit difficult. Enjoy your lovely walks and, please, do keep sharing your beautiful photos of them.

I'm with you on all counts, walking is such good exercise. What could be better than maintaining your health and taking in the breathtaking views of all that is around you. I always think of walking as exercising in natures gym.

A fast walk, little babe in her carrier, two dogs on leashes. Then repeated with a second set of dogs. Lots of walking in this family! It is good for Momma, good for little babe, and good for the dogs! Beautiful pictures Gillian - you are lucky to live in such a picturesque location.

Yes yes yes Gillian ,i walk every day ,there,s always lots to see and people to chat with ,it does lift your mood iff your feeling a little low ,and all for free !!!!!!!! glad your embracing your new life on the beautiful south coast xx

We love to get out on a walk or mini-adventure - as we have to call it to convince the kids ( aged 5 and 3 ) to come along. We went along to a lovely woodland park at the weekend and ended up getting lost. The children amazed us by walking for over two and a half hours without complaining. We would probably never have tried to walk so far in the first place, but lots of stops on the way to make dens or play sword fighting kept them going. I've come to realise that you need tons of snacks and a few diversions up your sleeve for when they start to flag. We're also looking forward to going on bike rides when they're older. It's good to see what you get up to as well, have you tried geocaching yet? Antonia x

Yes, yes! A walker! But I didn't know this about myself until we moved to the mountains. Here I have plenty of room and fresh air and trails to walk and walk. What a beautiful place you are all living, Gillian! So happy for you! *hugs* :)

We love walking too, it's so good to get out in the fresh air! Snacks to be divvied up at strategic points to lure them on further is a must with the children. They moan a bit at first and up having a great time. The South Downs are lovely, you've moved to a beautiful part of the country and the weather will be better than up North! xx

I've also recently moved to the South Downs with my family and have totally fallen in love with the rolling hills and wide open skies. We love the countryside north of Chichester - I can really recommend walking up the Trundle http://www.westsussex.info/trundle-view.shtml. Park in Lavant or West Dean and head up to the top of the hill, the views are almost 360 degrees, all the way to Chichester and the sea 6 miles away! Nicky S.

I also like to.get out in the fresh air any day of the week though I'm more for gentler strolls than big walks. Both my girls don't mind walking especially when there are snacks promised along the way... It's lovely to see your new sorroundings and glad to.hear you're enjoying it so much. x

Oh yes! We're walkers here too! I love it! The fresh air, being outside, appreciating nature. I love it all. Our wee ones are good walkers mainly but we do get the odd whine when little legs tire. I find car picnics help. They're an incentive to get them to the finish line and a great way to replenish energy. Lovely photos! So many rolling hills! Bee xx

We're very much walkers here. I used to walk six miles most days, until the dreaded rheumatoid arthritis hit ... it started in my feet, Now I sit about dosed up on steroids, and where I used to be skinny I've got fat ... but this is the year I'm shifting that weight - I've started already - and more walking will be part of that. The right footwear for my poor feet seems to be the key :)

Your photos are so exquisite! I must admit, I am not one for walks that involve climbing too many hills but I do love a brisk walk. Little O and I head out for a walk everyday, even if it's just around the block. And if the weather's good we go for another walk (and bike ride for the big boy) in the evening once my husband gets home. It definitely does wonders for a bad mood! x

Such beautiful photos Gillian. We like to get out and about but are a little limited with the buggy and associated paraphernalia needed for a little one. Our older girl will walk and walk, especially if distracted, without too much moaning - although i'm expecting that to change! I'm looking forward (although not wishing my girls' lives away!) to the day we can go out without the buggy and nappy bag! xxx